Last week, the Steam platform saw the release of four new games themed around the popular internet concept, The Backrooms, adding to an already overwhelming list of over 500 related titles. This surge, while indicative of the platform's open nature, also raises concerns about quality control, as players must navigate through numerous low-effort cash-ins to find genuinely engaging experiences. For casual players, especially, the task of selecting a worthwhile game is daunting due to the visual and thematic similarities among many of these titles.
Quick Facts
| Publisher | ['Secret Mode'] |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Genre | Various (e.g., First-person, Puzzle, Military Shooter, Metroidvania) |
The challenge is further highlighted by the fact that one publisher alone has released 12 Backrooms games, with five more in development, yet even the most popular among these, Backrooms: What's Next, has only managed a peak of 9 concurrent players. Titles like Backrooms Cats and Lava, Backroom Warfare II, and Backrooms Santa exemplify the wide range of interpretations, not all of which prioritize quality or originality. Player Vex summed up the frustration with some of these games, citing Don't Touch The Snail as an example where a single snail touch could "brick" the game, highlighting poor design choices.
Quality Amidst the Chaos
Despite the deluge of low-quality titles, there are notable exceptions. Escape the Backrooms stands out for its co-op focus and levels inspired by various liminal spaces. Inside the Backrooms offers a puzzle-centric approach, utilizing AI-generated in-game artwork. For single-player experiences, The Complex: Expedition is commendable for its atmospheric depth, even if it deviates from known Backrooms lore. Within the Backrooms, with its PS1 aesthetic, also shows promise.
Shaun Prescott, Australian Editor of PC Gamer, defends Steam's lack of curation, stating,
"If the price we pay is loads of garbage, I think it's a worthwhile trade off."
Shaun Prescott, Australian Editor of PC Gamer
However, he concedes that finding a good Backrooms game is currently a risky endeavor. Fortunately, publisher Secret Mode's curated Backrooms-themed event on Steam helps filter out much of the inferior content.
Beyond the Backrooms: Other Notable Releases
Amidst the Backrooms frenzy, other games have made waves. Paralives tops the revenue charts, capitalizing on the demand for a life sim alternative to The Sims 4. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 sees a surge in interest due to a 70% discount and a new update. In the deep cuts, Emuurom (a creature-scanning metroidvania akin to Animal Well and Derelict Star), Dread Fields (a horror game blending farming sims with terror), and Cheap Car Repair (inspired by Jalopy, focusing on inexpensive car fixes) are worth mentioning.
A Call to Caution for Players
The plethora of Backrooms games on Steam serves as a double-edged sword; while diversity is welcomed, the prevalence of low-effort titles necessitates caution. Players are advised to rely on curated events, like Secret Mode's, and community feedback to guide their selections. As the market continues to evolve, the hope is that quality will rise to the forefront, making the "garbage" worth the gems that shine through.
Community and Critique
The community response to the influx of Backrooms games is mixed, with many expressing frustration over the difficulty in distinguishing between legitimate contenders and cash-ins. The visual homogeneity of many titles exacerbates this issue. However, the diversity in gameplay mechanics, from first-person navigators to metroidvanias and military shooters, keeps the space intriguing for those willing to dig deep.
Criticisms largely focus on Steam's hands-off approach to curation, which, while fostering creativity, also overwhelms users with subpar content. The success of Paralives and the interest in more curated events suggest a path forward where quality can be highlighted amidst the noise.
